UN Security Council must consult wider membership on issues: Maleeha

UNITED NATIONS, July 20 (APP): Pakistan has underscored the need for the United Nations Security Council to hold dialogue on issues with the wider UN membership before making decisions to ensure the 15-member body’s openness, transparency and accountability.

“Member States not serving on the Council have high stakes in its decisions,” Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi said in a debate on the Working Methods of the Security Council on Tuesday.

The Pakistani envoy welcomed gradual improvements in the Council’s working methods, especially since 2006.

This year’s early election of non-permanent Council members was a positive step that would help them play a more robust and effective role during their tenure.

Ambassador Lodhi emphasized the crucial need for dialogue with the wider United Nations membership.

Troop- and police-contributing countries must be closely consulted prior to the formulation and approval of peacekeeping mandates.

Doing so would address many issues while helping to synchronize peacekeeping missions with realities on the ground, she said.

Much remained to be done to ensure deeper and meaningful consultations in all aspects of peacekeeping.

“As a leading troop contributing country, Pakistan believes much needs to be done to ensure deeper and meaningful consultations in all aspects of peacekeeping”.

Turning to the subsidiary bodies, the Pakistani envoy called for transparent processes and balanced representation on expert panels, adding that there was no reason to limit the scope of the Office of the Ombudsman to just one sanctions committee.